Volume control for optimum television stereo separation
First Claim
1. Apparatus for use in a cable television converter for controlling audio volume, wherein said audio volume is controlled to predetermined levels and a particular level provides optimum stereo separation, the apparatus comprising:
- a demodulator for demodulating an input signal to provide an aduio signal;
a user interface for inputting a desired volume level;
a volume control for varying the volume of the audio signal in accordance with the desired volume level and outputting a volume controlled audio signal, the volume control including a trimming control calibrated for a volume that provides optimum stereo separation when the desired volume level is at the particular level and the volume that provides optimum stereo separation has unity gain; and
an indicator for indicating when the volume level of the audio signal provides optimum stereo separation.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Volume control for use in a cable television set top converter or the like is calibrated for optimum television stereo channel separation. The volume control controls the volume to predetermined levels. One of the predetermined levels is a particular level calibrated for optimum stereo separation. An indicator on the converter indicates the optimum stereo separation volume level. When an internal VCR timer turns on the set top converter, the set top converter is forced to the optimum stereo separation volume level. The calibration is performed during manufacture and ensures that the indicated volume level for optimum stereo separation is indeed the optimum volume level.
49 Citations
54 Claims
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1. Apparatus for use in a cable television converter for controlling audio volume, wherein said audio volume is controlled to predetermined levels and a particular level provides optimum stereo separation, the apparatus comprising:
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a demodulator for demodulating an input signal to provide an aduio signal; a user interface for inputting a desired volume level; a volume control for varying the volume of the audio signal in accordance with the desired volume level and outputting a volume controlled audio signal, the volume control including a trimming control calibrated for a volume that provides optimum stereo separation when the desired volume level is at the particular level and the volume that provides optimum stereo separation has unity gain; and an indicator for indicating when the volume level of the audio signal provides optimum stereo separation.
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2. Apparatus for use in a cable television converter for controlling the gain of a signal, wherein said gain is controlled to predetermined levels and a particular level attains an optimum condition, the apparatus comprising:
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a user interface for inputting a desired gain level; a gain control for varying the gain of the signal in accordance with the desired gain level; and a trimming control connected in series with the gain control, the trimming control set to calibrate for a gain that attains the optimum condition when the desired gain level is at the particular level. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4)
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5. Apparatus for use in a cable television converter for controlling the gain of a signal, wherein said gain is controlled to predetermined levels and a particular level attains an optimum condition, the apparatus comprising:
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a user interface for inputting a desired gain level; a gain control for varying the gain of the signal in accordance with the desired gain level; and an indicator for indicating when the gain level of the signal attains the optimum condition. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. Apparatus for use in a cable television converter for controlling the gain of a signal, the gain is controlled to predetermined levels and a particular level attains an optimum condition, the apparatus comprising:
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a user interface for inputting a desired gain level; a gain control for varying the gain of the signal in accordance with the desired gain level; a trimming control coupled with the gain control, the trimming control set to calibrate for a gain that attains the optimum condition when the desired gain level is at the particular level, wherein the optimum condition includes optimum stereo separation, and the gain that obtains said optimum condition has unity gain. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. Apparatus for used in a cable television converter for controlling the gain if a asignal, said gain is controlled to predetermined levels and a particular level attains an optimum condition, the apparatus comprising:
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a user interface for inputting a desired gain level; a gain control for varying the gain of the signal in accordance with the desired gain level; a trimming control coupled with gain control, the trimming control set to calibrate for a gain that attains the optimum condition when the desired gain level is at the particular level, wherein the optimum condition includes optimum stereo separation; and a modulator for modulating the gain controlled signal.
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17. Apparatus for use in a cable television converter for controlling the gain of a signal, wherein said gain in controlled to predetermined levels and a particular level attains an optimum condition, the apparatus comprisng:
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a user interface for inputting a desired gain level; a gain control for varying the gain of the signal in accordance with the desired gain level; a timer for enabling the apparatus at a preprogrammed time; and a controller for setting the gain control to the particular level that attains the optimum condition, the controller setting the gain control to the particular level that attains the optimum condition when the apparatus oe enabled by the timer. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. Apparatus for use in a cable television converter for controlling the gain of a signal, said gain is controlled to predetermined levels and a particular level attains an optimum condition, the apparatus comprising:
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a user interface for inputting a desired gain level; a gain control for varying the gain if the signal in accordance with the desired gain level; a timer for enabling the apparatus at a preprogrammed time; a controller for setting the gain control to the particular level that attains the optimum condition, the controller setting the gain control to the particular level that attains the optimum condition when the apparatus is enabled by the timer, wherein the optimum condition inlcudes optimum stereo separation. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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23. A method for use in cable television converter apparatus for controlling audio volume, wherein said audio volume is controlled to predetermined levels and a particular level provides optimum stereo separation, the method comprising the steps of:
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demodulating an input signal to provide an audio signal; inputting a desired volume level; varying the volume of the audio signal in accordance with the desired volume level and outputting a volume controlled audio signal wherein the volume that provides optimum stereo separation has unity gain; and incidating when the volume level of the audio signal provides optimum stereo separation.
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24. A method for use in cable television converter apparatus for controlling audio volume, wherein said audio volume is controlled to predetermined levels and a particular level provides optimum stereo separation, the method comprising the steps of:
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demodulating an input signal in accordance with the desired volume level and outputting a volume controlled audio signal; remodulating the volume controlled audio signal; and indicating when the volume level of the audio signal provides optimum stereo separation.
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25. Apparatus for use in a cable television converter for controlling audio volume, wherein said audio volume is controlled to predetermined levels and a particular level provides optimum stereo separation, the apparatus comprising:
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a demodulator for demodulating an input signal to provide an audio signal; a modulator for modulating the volume controlled audio signal output of the volume control; a volume control for varying the volume of the audio signal in accordance with the desired volume level and outputting a volume controlled audio signal; and an indicator for indicating when the volume level of the audio signal provides optimum stereo separation.
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26. A method for use in cable television converter apparatus for controlling the gain of a signal, wherein said gain is controlled to predetermined levels and a particular level attains an optimum condition, the method comprising the steps of:
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inputting a desired gain level; varying the gain of the signal in accordance with the desired gain level; and indicating when the gain level of a the signal attains the optimum condition. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A method for use in a cable television converter, the method for calibrating an apparatus for controlling the gain of a signal, wherein said gain is controlled to predetermined levels and a particular level attains an optimum condition, the method comprising the steps of:
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inputting a desired gain level for attainment of the optimum condition; varying the gain of a gain control in accordance with the desired gain level; and adjusting the gain of a trimming control until the optimum condition is met. - View Dependent Claims (36)
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37. A method for use in a cable television converter, the method for calibrating an apparatus for controlling the gain of a signal, wherein said gain is controlled to predetermined levels and a particular level attains an optimum condition, the method comprising the steps of:
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inputting a desired gain level for attainment of the optimum condition; varying the gain of a gain control in accordance with the desired gain level; adjusting the gain of a trimming control unitl the optimum condition is met, wherein the optimum condition includes optimum stereo separation, and the gain that attains the optimum condition has unity gain. - View Dependent Claims (38)
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39. A method for use in a cable television converter apparatus, the method for controlling gain of a signal, wherein said gain is controlled to predetermined levels and a particular level attains an optimum condition, the method comprising the steps of:
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storing the particular level in the apparatus; enabling the appatatus at a predetermined time; and setting the gain of the signal to the stored particular level that attains the optimum condition when the apparatus is enabled at the predetermined time.
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40. A method for use in a cable television converter apparatus, the method for controlling gain of an audio signal, wherein said gain is controlled within a range of predetermined levels and a particular level attains an optimum condition, the method comprising the steps of:
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storing the particular level in the apparatus, wherein said particular level is within said predetermined levels; enabling the apparatus at a predetermined time; and setting the gain of the audio signal to the stored particular level that attains the optimum condition when the apparatus is enabled at the predetermined time, wherein the optimum condition includes optimum stereo separation. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42)
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43. An apparatus for use in a cable television converter for controlling audio volume, wherein said audio volume is controlled to predetermined levels, the apparatus comprising:
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a switch having at least two states for enabling or disabling the converter in accordance with the state of switch; a user interface for inputting a desired volume level regardless of the state of the switch; and a volume control for varying the volume of an audio signal received by the converter in accordance with the desired volume level and outputting a volume controlled audio signal regardless of the state of the switch. - View Dependent Claims (44)
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45. An apparatus for use in a cable television converter for controlling audio volume, wherein said audio volume is controlled to predetermined levels, the apparatus comprising:
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a switch having at least two states for enabling or disabling the converter, said converter receiving an audio signal; a user interface for inputting a desired volume level regardless of whether the converter is enabled or disabled by the switch; a volume control for varying the volume of said audio signal delivered to said device in accordance with the desired volume level and outputting a volume controlled audio signal regardless of whether the converter is enabled or disabled by the switch; and an indicator for indicating whe the volume level of the audio signal provides optimum stereo separation regardless or whether the converter is enabled or disabled by the switch. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48)
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49. An apparatus for use with a cable television converter for controlling audio volume, wherein said audio volume is controlled to predetermined levels, the apparatus comprising:
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a switch having at least two states for enabling or disabling the converter, said converter receiving an audio signal; a user interface for inputting a desired volume level regardless of whether the converter is enabled or disabled by the switch; a volume control for varying the volume of said audio signal delivered to said converter in accordance with the desired volume level and outputting a volume controlled audio signal regardless of whether the converter is enabled or disabled by the switch; an indicator for indicating when the volume level of the audio signal provides optimum stereo separation regardless of whether the converter is enabled or disabled by the switch; a trimming control coupled with the volume control, said trimming control calibrated for a volume that provides optimum stereo separation when the desired volume level is at a particular level providing optimum stereo separation; a demodulator for demodulating an input signal regardless of whether the converter is enabled or disabled by the switch and providing the audio signal; and a modulator for remodulating the volume controlled audio signal regardless of whether the converter is enabled or disabled by the switch.
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50. An apparatus for use in a cable television converter for controlling audio volume, wherein said audio volume is controlled to predetermined levels, the apparatus comprising:
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a switch having at least two states for enabling or disabling the converter, said converter receiving an audio signal; a user interface for inputting a desired volume level regardless of whether the converter is enabled or disabled by the switch; and a volume control for varying the volume of said audio signal delivered to said converter in accordance with the desired volume level and outputting a volume controlled audio signal regardless of whether the converter is enabled or disabled by the switch; a display for displaying the desired volume level regardless of whether the converter is enabled or disabled by the switch; and an indicator for indicating when the volume level of the audio signal provides optimum stereo separation regardless or whether the converter is enabled or disabled by the switch.
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51. A method for use with a cable television converter for controlling audio volume, wherein said audio volume is controlled to predetermined levels, the method comprising steps of:
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enabling or disabling the cable television converter, said converter receiving an audio signal; inputting a desired volume level regardless of whether the converter is enabled or disabled by the switch; varying the volume of said audio signal delivered to said converter in accordance with the desired volume level regardless of whether the coverter is emabled or disabled by the switch; and indicating when the volume of the audio signal proves optimum stereo separation. - View Dependent Claims (52, 53)
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54. A method for use in a cable television converter for controlling audio volume, wherein said audio volume is controlled to predetermined levels, the method comprising the steps of;
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enabling or disabling the cable television converter, said converter receiving an audio signal; inputting a desired volume level regardless of whether the converter is enabled or disabled by the switch; varying the volume of said audio signal delivered to said converter in accordance with the desired volume level regardless of whether the converter is enabled or disabled by the switch; displaying the desired volume level regardless of whether the converter is enabled or disabled by the switch; and indicating when the volume level of the audio signal provides optimum stereo separation regardless of whether the converter is enabled or disabled by the switch.
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Specification